Florida Catholic | Summer Institute Helps Teachers Teach Teachings

Summer Institute helps teachers teach teachings

Reconnecting to the reason why they teach was one of the main themes of the June 18 “Summer Institute”.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Published: 07.04.08

VENICE | The people who teach in Catholic schools or religious education programs within the Diocese of Venice are not there by accident – they were called to do the work for a variety of reasons and in a variety of ways.

Reconnecting to the reason why they teach was one of the main themes of the June 18 “Summer Institute” which was offered to 120 teachers by the Office of Catechetical Ministry at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat and Spirituality Center.

Dr. Kathy Kleinlein, religious education director, led one of the four sessions during the day as she spoke about the need for all teachers to be evangelizing in their faith sharing.

“Go and make disciples,” Kleinlein said. “We have to go and proclaim the good news. It is much more than just teaching the lesson.”

She also asked the teachers if they have a personal relationship with God.

“You know if you do or not,” Kleinlein added. “Have you been converted? How did God call you here? You are not here by accident. You were all called for a reason. Just try to remember that.”

She said they each have an obligation to teach the truth and to teach the teachings of their faith.

“Know your faith and the teachings of that faith,” Kleinlein said.

By getting children talking and excited about their faith, they will bring their parents to church. The key is to be able to keep the parents and children engaged.

“If you bring Christ to the people, they will come back,” she said.

Other speakers at the Summer Institute included Joan Leonard, who spoke about raising a prophetic family in the world; Dr. Andrea Lorenzo Molinari, president of Blessed Edmund Rice School for Pastoral Ministry, who spoke about the role of early Christian women; and Charity Winter and Kathie Farinacci, who spoke about differentiated instruction and how to reach students in an inclusive classroom.

The Summer Institute provides opportunities for Catholic school teachers and catechists in parishes to earn 12 hours toward diocesan certification. Each teacher must continually earn and update his or her education to remain certified by the diocese.

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Summer Institute helps teachers teach teachings

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